Check out this slick video highlighting the energy efficient properties of ABB drives for water and wastewater.
The video is just one of a whole series of videos available on our YouTube channel, which showcase the features of the ABB ACQ810. The drive has been designed to improve pumping performance, reduce leakage and improve energy efficiency.
Monday, 6 February 2012
Monday, 30 January 2012
Feed-In-Tariff the battle continues!
By: Neil Ritchie, Local Business Unit Manager, LV Drives at ABB
You might be surprised to hear that the Government and the solar industry have been at loggerheads over the last few months. The two have been fighting over the solar Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) and the battle has gone to both the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Both courts have unsurprisingly ruled that the Government’s plans to bring in a reduction to solar FITs before the end of the consultation period is unlawful. But the Government is now seeking to take its appeal to The Supreme Court.
The background to the case is that the DECC has proposed to reduce the amount of payback for small-scale solar projects up to 4 kW in size, suggesting this should be set at 21p/kWh, down from 43.3p/kWh. However, after a case was brought forward by Friends of the Earth and two solar companies, a high court judge ruled that to rush through cuts to Feed-In Tariff (FIT) payments were ‘legally flawed’.
The appeal case went to court on Friday the 12th January and the judges have taken until now to reach a unanimous decision to uphold the original ruling. This means that, subject to the outcome of any appeal to The Supreme Court, solar FITs will remain at 43.3 p/kWh until March 3rd 2012, when it will be reduced to 21p.
The government’s argument is that the current high tariffs for solar PV are not sustainable and changes need to be made in order to protect the budget. This may be true, but surely the Government can simply make more money available to the scheme through the additional taxes it is generating?
With options running out, “The Government must now take steps to safeguard the UK’s solar industry and the 29,000 jobs still facing the chop,” according to Friends of the Earth’s executive director Andy Atkins. “Ministers must abandon plans to tighten the screw on which homes qualify for solar payments – and use the massive tax revenues generated by solar to protect the industry.”
Personally I think, the Government needs to accept the court’s decision and get on with its legal obligations. I remember a pledge being made by the Coalition Government at the very beginning of them coming to power - “to be the greenest Government ever”. Now is the time to live up to this pledge and support a flourishing industry, instead of restricting its growth.
You might be surprised to hear that the Government and the solar industry have been at loggerheads over the last few months. The two have been fighting over the solar Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) and the battle has gone to both the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Both courts have unsurprisingly ruled that the Government’s plans to bring in a reduction to solar FITs before the end of the consultation period is unlawful. But the Government is now seeking to take its appeal to The Supreme Court.
The background to the case is that the DECC has proposed to reduce the amount of payback for small-scale solar projects up to 4 kW in size, suggesting this should be set at 21p/kWh, down from 43.3p/kWh. However, after a case was brought forward by Friends of the Earth and two solar companies, a high court judge ruled that to rush through cuts to Feed-In Tariff (FIT) payments were ‘legally flawed’.
The appeal case went to court on Friday the 12th January and the judges have taken until now to reach a unanimous decision to uphold the original ruling. This means that, subject to the outcome of any appeal to The Supreme Court, solar FITs will remain at 43.3 p/kWh until March 3rd 2012, when it will be reduced to 21p.
The government’s argument is that the current high tariffs for solar PV are not sustainable and changes need to be made in order to protect the budget. This may be true, but surely the Government can simply make more money available to the scheme through the additional taxes it is generating?
With options running out, “The Government must now take steps to safeguard the UK’s solar industry and the 29,000 jobs still facing the chop,” according to Friends of the Earth’s executive director Andy Atkins. “Ministers must abandon plans to tighten the screw on which homes qualify for solar payments – and use the massive tax revenues generated by solar to protect the industry.”
Personally I think, the Government needs to accept the court’s decision and get on with its legal obligations. I remember a pledge being made by the Coalition Government at the very beginning of them coming to power - “to be the greenest Government ever”. Now is the time to live up to this pledge and support a flourishing industry, instead of restricting its growth.
Monday, 12 December 2011
Discover energy savings on your smart phone
You might remember a while ago we launched an App for the IPhone…the ABB Energy Calculator App. So far it has had thousands of downloads and is continuing to show users the financial benefits of variable-speed drive control.
Now we have launched a BlackBerry version of the same App, so those of us who swear by our BlackBerrys, can discover how much a variable-speed drive can reduce energy costs.
The App allows you to calculate the energy savings you can achieve on a typical pump or fan load by replacing direct-on-line control with a variable-speed drive. By inputting some basic data about your application you get to find out how much you can reduce CO2 emissions, along with the energy and cost savings possible. The App is available to download on BlackBerry App world.
If you are more of an old-school engineer, we also have a traditional slide rule available. Although not as powerful as the App, the slide rule gives you an insight into how much you can reduce CO2 emissions and the energy cost savings you are likely to achieve. To get your slide rule, email energy@gb.abb.com and leave your address details so I can send one out in the post.
Friday, 9 December 2011
Summit in the air!
By: Neil Ritchie, Local Business Unit Manager, LV Drives at ABB
So, 193 countries are in the process of meeting in Durban in order to broker some sort of deal on climate change. Sounds great, however this is the 17th time this annual event has been organised and on nearly every occasion, very little seems to happen.
The problem is that many of the larger, more powerful industrial nations such as China, USA, India and Brazil view such a deal as something that will restrict their growth and are likely to oppose any kind of agreement that will have a significant impact on how they do business.
Since these four countries account for nearly 50 percent of greenhouse gases, getting them to agree a reduction in output is to say the least…difficult.
The rest of the world understands the urgency of the matter and the vast majority of other nations, including the EU are pushing for a new legally-binding agreement. However, whether or not the other four are willing to shoulder their responsibility remains to be seen.
With only a couple of days to go before the talks conclude, I hope they break the deadlock and set ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets, but I won’t be holding my breath.
So, 193 countries are in the process of meeting in Durban in order to broker some sort of deal on climate change. Sounds great, however this is the 17th time this annual event has been organised and on nearly every occasion, very little seems to happen.
The problem is that many of the larger, more powerful industrial nations such as China, USA, India and Brazil view such a deal as something that will restrict their growth and are likely to oppose any kind of agreement that will have a significant impact on how they do business.
Since these four countries account for nearly 50 percent of greenhouse gases, getting them to agree a reduction in output is to say the least…difficult.
The rest of the world understands the urgency of the matter and the vast majority of other nations, including the EU are pushing for a new legally-binding agreement. However, whether or not the other four are willing to shoulder their responsibility remains to be seen.
With only a couple of days to go before the talks conclude, I hope they break the deadlock and set ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets, but I won’t be holding my breath.
Monday, 7 November 2011
The Village Bakery saves £20,000 a year with ABB drives
Improved speed control on one of its production lines is enabling The Village Bakery (Nutrition) to save £20,000 per year at its Abenbury Way site in Wrexham. The installation of an ABB general machinery drive with high ingress protection (IP66) has delivered a combination of cost savings.
The new drive controls the speed of a depositing line, which is a conveyor-based system that divides the dough into the correct weights to make various rolls and loaves. The Wrexham bakery is the most advanced gluten-free facility in Europe, manufacturing around 250,000 loaves a week.
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Leixlip Water Treatment Works saves €500,000 a year with ABB drives
Watch the video and find out how Leixlip Water Treatment Plant is saving over €500,000 a year on its pumping costs thanks to the installation of ABB variable-speed drives.
The Leixlip Water Treatment Works in Co. Kildare is the second largest water treatment facility in Ireland. With a capacity of 175,000 m3 a day, it supplies over 30 percent of the drinking water requirements of the Greater Dublin Region, serving Fingal, Kildare and the northern part of Dublin City.
Monday, 19 September 2011
Calls for a rise in infrastructure spending
How many of us have been delayed on a train journey due to “leaves on the line” or experienced excessively slow internet download speeds? I think most people in the UK believe that our infrastructure needs to be improved and the latest research from the Confederation of British Industry suggests our business leaders share this view.
According to the research, major investment is needed to help the UK bounce back from current weak economic conditions. The report suggests that investment in infrastructure such as Britain’s road and rail networks, digital, waste and energy would ensure we remain internationally competitive and would kick-start UK growth.
The findings highlight what the UK needs to succeed, however with the Government deep in the midst of wide reaching spending cuts, it is safe to say that essential investment on projects other than those that have already been ring-fenced, seems unlikely in the immediate future.
Of those surveyed, 58% rate the UK’s infrastructure worse than other EU countries when judged on quality, value for money and reliability. According to the poll, just 26% of firms saw the UK as favourable for infrastructure investment.
The results of the report are somewhat worrying, but sadly predictable. With potential investors harbouring major doubts over the UK’s infrastructure, how can we expect to attract investment from international companies wanting to expand their operations, or keep organisations that have already set up here?
Furthermore, 89% of those surveyed were worried about the security of energy supply over the next ten years and a staggering 95% were concerned about the rising cost of energy over the next five years.
With regards to energy prices, wholesale prices are rising across the globe. It is up to organisations effected by these rises to address energy efficiency within their respective organisations, however when combined with the list of other worries, it doesn’t bode well for the UK.
The report is a damning incitement of the UK government failing to recognise what is needed to make the UK an attractive place to do business. Currently the government is more concerned with lowering our national debt than protecting UK business interests and providing the tools and means to attract investment.
Much more investment is needed, otherwise the pot-holes in our policies will take the wheels off our economic recovery.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
